Friday, June 26, 2020

Brazil discovers new Zika virus subtype from Africa

Reporter : Tang Ye
Editor : Meng Xiangjun
Publisher : CCTV News, re-produced on China News Network
Direct translation

Image courtesy : European Pharmaceutical Review

After a genetic sequence analysis of the Zika virus that was endemic in Brazil in 2019, Brazilian epidemiological experts recently announced that they have discovered a new Zika virus that originated in Africa. Experts warn that the spread of this virus may trigger a new round of Zika virus outbreak. This discovery by Brazilian scientists was published in the latest issue of the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, published in June.

Previously known Zika virus has two lineages-African and Asian. Epidemiology experts discovered a subtype of Zika virus belonging to Africa in the State of Rio Grande do Sul and Rio, respectively, in the genetic sequence analysis of the Zika virus that was endemic in Brazil in 2019. Card virus type.

Zika virus is a flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes. The epidemic of Zika virus was first discovered in Brazil in 2015, and has since spread to more than 40 countries and regions around the world. Epidemiological experts have been tracking and analyzing the Zika virus circulating in Brazil. Analysis shows that from 2015 to 2019, the 248 gene sequences of this virus have changed significantly. Before 2018, the Zika virus mostly appeared in the Cambodian subtype of Asia. The mainstream of the Zika virus in 2019 is the Micronesia subtype. The host of the new subtype Zika virus discovered this time is a kind of African monkey and mosquitoes that inhabit trees.

According to statistics from the Brazilian Ministry of Health, this year Brazil has reported 3692 cases of Zika virus infection, which is less than the number of Chikungunya and yellow fever infections. Since there is currently no specific treatment for this disease, experts warn that the new Zika virus may trigger a new epidemic. 

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